Hotel-Motel Tax

GRAND FORKS RESIDENTS WHO STAY AT AN INN FOR LONGER THAN A MONTH WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM PAYING A LOCAL HOTEL-MOTEL TAX UNDER A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY’S FINANCE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.  THE COMMITTEE WAS ASKED TO REVIEW THE CURRENT CODE BECAUSE MORE AND MORE COMPANIES HAVE ENTERED INTO LONG-TERM ARRANGEMENTS ON ROOMS FOR EMPLOYEES IN EXCESS OF 30 DAYS.  THE ISSUE HAS BECOME EVEN MORE PREVALENT IN WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA’S OIL REGION.  CITY ATTORNEY HOWARD SWANSON SAYS THE INTENT IS TO CLARIFY THAT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM THE LOCAL TAX BUT CORPORATE RESERVATIONS WOULD NOT.  COMMITTEE MEMBER DUANE SANDE SAYS IT’S A MATTER OF FAIRNESS

THE RECOMMENDATION WILL GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL NEXT WEEK.